Abstract:
The study investigates some word formation processes in Sɩsaalɩ, under the
frameworks of Optimality Theory, propounded by Prince and Smolensky (1993) and
Hockett’s model of morphological analysis (IA approach). Four word formation
processes were found, namely; borrowing, reduplication, compounding and affixation.
The data on borrowing and reduplication were analyzed using OT and the data on
compounding and affixation were analyzed using the IA. The study established that,
words borrowed from Akan into Sɩsaalɩ will not be structurally constrained because
both languages have similar syllable structures. But words borrowed from English
into Sɩsaalɩ with consonant clusters and codas were structurally constrained and had to
be repaired through vowel epenthesis and final consonant deletion because the
syllable structure of Sɩsaalɩ does not permit consonant clusters and syllable codas. The
study also revealed that, the reduplicant for verbs is reserved to be a CV ending in a
short vowel, such that a CV verb ending in a long vowel will have to be shortened in
the reduplicant. Also, verbs with structures larger than a CV will have to be elided to
generate only CVs in the reduplicant. The vowel of the reduplicant for verbs was
noted to be reserved for [+High] vowels, such that a [-High] base vowel will
necessarily change to a [+High] vowel in the reduplicant. The study equally showed
three types of compound words exist in Sɩsaalɩ; endocentric, exocentric and
coordinate compounds. The suffixes -bá, -á:, -nὶŋ́
, -sὶŋ́ and –é: were identified as
plural marker suffixes in Sɩsaalɩ. Audio recording, focused group discussions, direct
elicitation and documents were the methods used to arrive at the data.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS, FACULTY
OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION
SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY
OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY OF
APPLIED LINGUISTICS
JULY, 2017
